Shoe-fastening.



F. H. HOPKINS.

I S HOE FASTENING. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13. 1916.

1,211,315. Patented Jam-2,1917- I awe/WM FRANK H. HOPKINS, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

SHOE-FASTENING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2., 1917.

Application filed June 13, 1916., Serial No. 103,500.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK H. HOPKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Fastenings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shoe fastenings and has for its principal object the provision of a device of this character which will consist of relatively flexible and yieldable elements secured to the mating sides of the uppers of the shoe and used in combination with a freely sliding tongue having means thereon adapted to co-act with said flexible elements whereby the uppers can be quickly drawn together or opened relatively in an expeditious manner.

Another object of the invention consists of flexible metallic elements arranged along the sides of the uppers and constructed so as to freely respond to all of the common movements of the foot, the tongue which is in connection with said elements being also designed whereby to permit of a free flexing of the uppers and at the same time retain the oflice of a closure for the shoe and a securing device arranged to bring the sides of the uppers together as desired.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of relatively flexible elements secured to the sides of the uppers, a sliding tongue for moving the uppers respectively to closed and opened positions, and means on said elements and the tongue for holding the latter in an adjusted position and against casual derangement.

Among other objects in view, I aim to provide a form of fastener which will not be limited to use upon shoes, but one which .will be capable of use upon army leggings and similar articles of apparel; one which may be economically made and manufactured at a relatively low cost and one which will be simple, graceful in appearance, strong and durable and dust and rain proof.

I have further designed my improved fastener whereby when applied to the shoe, no metallic parts thereof will be visible; nor said parts arranged where they will contact with the foot of the wearer. The device may be colored in any suitable manner to harmonize with the color of the shoe and when applied no projecting surfaces are presented which mi ht otherwise be caught in the apparel of t e wearer.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel arrangements of parts which will hereinafter be fully described and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, has been illustrated, a single and preferred form of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the claim may be resorted to when desired.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the upper of a shoe showing the arrangement of my device thereon, the sliding tongue being partially withdrawn. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the lower portion of the sliding tongue. Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the opposite sides of a portion of the rails. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the sliding tongue.

In carrying the invention into practice use is made of two elements A and B, which hereafter will be referred to as side rails. Each of said elements consists preferably of a single strip of relatively thin metal which is turned up along one of its longitudinal edges to form a side rail or channel 1. The metal is then slit along horizontal lines as at 2, sub-dividing the strip into a plurality of relatively flexible sections'3, having attaching spurs 4, stamped therefrom. The slits 2, gradually merge into the curved railportion 1, so as to maximize the flexing qualities of the device and thereby render the same susceptible to all of the ordinary movements of the foot. These side rails may be interposed between the outer leather of the uppers and the inner lining or otherwise suitably arranged upon the shoe as may be found best in practice. I of course do not wish to limit myself to the manner of applying the rails but will aim at all times to so arrange them upon the shoe as to not detract from the attractiveness and neat design of the shoe. When arranged between the outer leather and the inner lining as specifically referred to, the rail portions will be exposed from the vertical edges of the uppers for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to. When the rails are. arranged in this manner, the

barbs or spurs may be extended through the material and upset thereagainst as clearly illustrated-in the accompanying drawing.

In order that means may be provided for readily drawing the sides of the uppers into closed positions so as to eliminate the necessity of lacing, provision is made of a tongue 5, which may be made of leather or any other suitable flexible material. Thistongue is provided with a plurality of horizontal relatively resilient arms or bars 6, which are arranged at suitable intervals in the length ofthe tongue and the ends of said bars are curved as at 7, so as to freely slide .in the channels or rails 1, and co-act therewith when 'it is desired to open the shoe or close the Gopies of this patent may be obtained for which are adapted to co-act with the next adjacent cross bar of the tongue as illustrated.

From the construction referred to, the tongue is designed whereby it may be quickly drawn entirely from the side rails or adjusted to any other suitable point in the length of said rails as may be found desirable when applying the shoe to or removing the same from the foot of the wearer.

What I claim as new is V The combination with a shoe, of rails secured to the uppers thereof alongothe vertt cal edges of the same. each rail comprising a single strip ofrelatively flexible material subdivided at their outer edges only into a plurality of substantially free sections each having an attaching portion secured to the shoe, the inner edge portions of the rails being continuousfrom end to end of the rails, and a tongue slidable in said rails, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I {t'i'IlX my signature.

' H. HOPKINS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

